The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-04-21

duced. 1t is now the habit to send the
raw material to New York or some other
commercial center. for distribution to the
manufacturers, and then to send the man.
ufactured product back there for distri-
button to the trade. This course of trade
was largely the result of preferential
rates, and their removal will naturally
produce contrary effect. Equable rates
are the jobbers' worst enemy. The act
will undoubtedly bring the manufacturer
and consumer nearer together.
Third-In like manner, the tendency of
manufacturers to the great cities will be
checked. The small town is
| THE NATURAL HOME
of the manufacturer. Rents are lower,
labor cheaper and more contented and
risks less than in a city. Preferential
rates have driven the manufactures to the
city and forced the laborer into the tene-
ment house. Their abolition will remove
this tendency and serve to distribute
rather than condense our industries and
population.
Fourth-It will tend also, in another
way, to build up the small towns rather
than the great cities. Heretofore the
railroad has been, in sense, compelled
to make itself the enemy of the small
towns along its route and the ally of the
great city to which it leads, by the rivalry
of trunk lines in regard to through freight.
This rivalry being rendered practically i'm
possible by the act the road that is wisely
managed will turn its attention at once to
fostering manufactures along its line by
emphasizing the difference in rate in favor
of the interior or eAen suburban manu-
facturer. If the law is continued in effect
it will be found that the power to distin-
guish in favor of the short haul is a far
more potent weapon in the hands of the
injurious railroad manager than the re-
duction in favor of the long one. 1t does
not need any profundity to demonstrate
that the prosperity of railroad thus pro-
tected depends mainly on the develop
ment of traffic supply along its own
lines. The act will, therefore, be very de-
decidedly to the advantage of the smaller
j towns and the relief of the overcrowded
cities.
Before these Interior influences have
been fully developed, however, we shall
have first to meet the force of the imme-
date results of the law npon the public
sentiment and general business interests.
These may be summarized as follows
promising always that the normal opera
ton of the act is not interfered with by
war or other exceptional Influences:
First-A decided reduction in the gene
raj manufacturing output, and a conse-
quent reduction in wages, except to those
engaged in railroad employment, where
there will be slight but general advance.
Second-The amount received by the
producers of agricultural staples in the
west during the ensuing year will be I'M
expectedly reduced, and
GENERAL DISSATISFACTION
will be thereby engendered, it being the
general impression that immediate per-
sonal advantage would secure to each of
this class.
Third-An Increased number of failures,
depression in business, and general dis
content among the laboring classes
throughout the country may be confidently
expected.
AS result of these influences we may
look, perhaps at as early day as the next
session of congress, for a general clamor
in favor of the repeal of the act on the
part of the following classes:
First-Those who have been accustomed
to travel on passes or at special rates.
Second-Those who have had the ad-
| Vantage VI SptCldl lrdluC rdb6S Ill Ul6lr
| business.
Third-Through shippers, chiefly east
ern manufacturers, western producers
and the jobbers at the respective termini.
At the same time we shall find the fol-
lowing classes in favor of the continuance
of the legislation, and perhaps DESTROYS
of extending the scope of discretionary
governmental control of transportation:
First-Practically the entire railroad
interests of the country.
Second investors of all
classes.
In short, it will be seen that the general
expectation of reduced rates is doomed to
disappointment. Very few points will
find their shipping rates materially re-
duced. Hardly any business man will ex-
perience any perceptible relief from the
burden of traffic rates. Those excluded
from special favor are active and clamor-
GUS forces. They, to a large extent, con-
troll the press and are otherwise very
powerful in moulding public opinion.
The mere laborer will Unexpectedly find
himself not Immediately benefited, and
may join in the general disapproval 1t
is more than probable that within twelve
month we shall witness the curious spec
tacle of those who most favored this meas
ure clamoring for its repeal, and those who
opposed it insisting on its retention.